Wow.
“Welcome,” I replied, knee still pulsing. I was tempted to look back at Jay but decided against it, knowing I would have my chance tomorrow. I made it down the stone path a few feet before I heard, “Forget it, Randy. I’ve got dibs.” I smiled broadly. That voice belonged to Jayden.
“Did you see that perfect ass? Damn,” the voice that belonged to Randy bellowed. I stood still, chuckling as they assessed my looks. I felt the pride in my step as I crept along, hoping for more.
The last guy, who I didn’t get a good look at, added his two cents, but I was too far away to hear it. I decided I’d heard enough of the confidence boost and made my way home. I burst through the door calling for Gerri. She walked out of the bathroom smiling and completely beautiful. Her pixie-like, spiky hair done perfectly as well as her makeup as her eyes measured my mood. She was so nervous, I instantly wanted to put her at ease.
“I love you for doing this, Hil. Seriously.”
“It’s nothing, Gerri. Just promise me you won’t get mad if I keep it honest, okay?”
“Promise,” she said, shooting me a scout’s salute.
“I just met the hottest guy at the pool. We are meeting tomorrow.” I beamed with my announcement as she gave me a look that screamed finally!.
“I know it’s been a while,” I said, “and I’m almost certain this guy wants nothing but ass. But I’ll tell you right now, I might be willing to be used by this one.”
“That’s even bigger than you having a date. Ms. Romance having casual sex, that’d be a miracle. Do tell.”
I filled her in as I showered. For the first time in a long time, I dressed up. I was feeling beautiful from the comments of the guys at the pool. I could have been offended at the way they ogled me and practically rated my looks, but honestly, I was flattered.
I took my time dressing in a tube top that showcased my newly browned shoulders and curled my auburn hair to make it thick and wavy. I put on a full face of makeup that included bronzer, blush, and thickly lined lids, and practically danced to the door. It had been way too long since I’d had a man’s attention. I didn’t know Jayden well enough to truly be happy about my impromptu date, but what I did know was I liked what I saw. I liked his name. And I hoped that tomorrow I’d be as at ease as I was with him today.
Mike’s was unusually busy, so I bided my time playing a couple of games of pool with Gerri until I could casually strike up a conversation with him at the bar.
Upon our arrival, I did notice his eyes light up and directed at Gerri when we walked in. Maybe she was right. Maybe something had shifted since last night, but the protective friend in me was determined to assess the situation.
Gerri had been burned badly by her last boyfriend, Blake. He’d drug her through the mud in the years they had dated. Gerri had realized too late, after she’d given him two years of her unwavering love, that he was worthless. He’d bled her heart, letting her down time after time when she’d needed him most. He’d proven his status as the world’s biggest piece of shit by dumping her on Thanksgiving Day in lieu of finally meeting her family.
Weeks later, she discovered he’d been screwing a much older woman for the last six months of their relationship. He’d pulled up to their favorite restaurant in his new girlfriend’s Mercedes with her in tow. Gerri, still torn to shreds from the loss of what she thought was love, approached them mid–dining, asking point blank how long they’d been dating. The woman thinking it was an innocent enough question had clung to his arm, boasting proudly and clueing her in.
“You two look very happy,” she told them as she looked directly at Blake.
He refused to meet her eyes, motioning for his unsuspecting replacement to keep quiet. He’d never once messaged her after that to apologize, or attempted to make contact in any way. I’d had to pry her off the floor of our apartment that night as she sobbed. The carefree girl I’d met had taken a hit, and though her smile was still breathtaking and her personality still had the same bounce, after that she’d never really been the same. He’d taken a piece of her and it was evident she might not get it back.
And that’s why after a few games of pool I scrutinized the new object of her affection while he mixed drinks for a group of girls a few seats down from us.
“Mike, how you been?” I asked as he delivered Gerri and me fresh beers in his next round around the bar.
“Good, Hilary. You?”
“Never better. So, how is ...oh, I forgot her name.”
“So did I.” He winked at Gerri as I leaned in. “Tabitha. We broke up last night.” I felt Gerri stiffen next to me, her hand going from the bar to my leg to give it a painful squeeze of excitement.
“I’m sorry,” I offered.
“Don’t be.” He gestured with his chin toward Gerri. “I got some good advice from a beautiful girl and I couldn’t pass it up.” He leaned over the bar, kissing Gerri’s cheek before addressing me. “This one’s on me, ladies.”
“Must have been some advice,” I said, feeling the elation rolling off my best friend sitting next to me.
“Yeah, it was.” He never took his eyes off Gerri as I secretly celebrated with her. Mike was good looking with short, dirty blond hair, and soft brown eyes, but most of his allure was in his confidence and I could see his appeal. He walked to the end of the bar, motioning for Gerri to join him for a private conversation. She all but leapt from her stool to round the bar. They talked animatedly for a few minutes before Gerri walked confidently back to her stool.
“Wow, Gerri,” I said, feeling the happiness as it radiated off of her.
“We have to go, like right now,” she clipped out. My fluttering and happy heart nosedived as I looked over at her, unable to read her expression, thinking maybe I’d read the situation wrong. I thanked Mike who smiled at Gerri. She plastered a smile on her face and turned to the door quickly. When we got closer to the car, she began to chant over and over. “Oh my God, oh my God, OH MY GOD!” My heart resumed beating and I knew when we were safely seated in the car the scream was coming.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! He asked me out. Oh God, Hil, it happened!” I chuckled as she pumped her fist in the air a number of times before leaping into my seat and hugging me. “Perseverance, woman! I worked for that fine ass man, and now I shall have him!”
“It’s a date, not nuptials.”
“Don’t.” She pleaded with her eyes. “Don’t do that. You saw it, the connection is real.”
“I promise not to go all Negative Nancy on you, but please, Gerri be careful. He’s barely a day out of a relationship.”
“She wasn’t me,” Gerri said confidently.
“Fucking A she wasn’t,” I agreed. Why was I so fearful he wouldn’t return her affection? I needed to be building her up, not shooting her dreams down with my selfish fear for her. I reached over and grabbed her hand. “And just wait until he knows exactly what he’s getting, babe. He’ll be a goner.”
We celebrated by picking up some Chinese and more beer and discussing down to the detail what she would wear on their first date. That night, I saw a small piece of what was stolen from her resurface in her demeanor: a little extra sparkle in her eyes and the return of some much-needed confidence.
Before I went to sleep that night, I reminded myself of the dangers of investing too much into one person.
The absolute truth was and would always be that love giveth, and love taketh away, and that...sometimes love has the power redeem itself in reputation.
I wanted that for Gerri, and more than anything, I wanted that for myself. I was ready.
I only hoped I didn’t have to wait forever for my redeemer. Then my thoughts drifted to Jayden and suddenly I was even more excited about my own possibilities.